Let us look at Malta and Gozo very objectively, and see what we have that makes us rather special. We have an ideal location, beautiful weather, a friendly and English-speaking population, culture, history and a race of inhabitants that have a desire and ability to make ends meet, somehow or other.
It is very important that we keep all our assets, and not only keep them but improve them to get the very best out of them.
What has Malta got physically that we can be proud of?
Our historical buildings are exceptional and our two old walled cities, the Cittadella and Mdina, were already good, but now are world class.
Valletta is improving, and other towns like Vittoriosa and Senglea are moving in the right direction. All over the islands we have towns and villages that have areas of incredible charm and character. We have amazing fortifications everywhere which are all gradually being upgraded.
Our terraced fields, particularly in the winter months, are a delight to behold and these, including those lying fallow, could be full of grapes and olive trees. I personally draw a line at marijuana.
Old farmhouses are dotted all around the countryside adding more character to the environment. Our surrounding seas and coastline are the envy of the world. Our prehistoric temples are incredible.
So, we have beautiful physical and cultural assets, and these must be protected and embellished, keeping all the character that makes them so beautiful.
These areas and historical heritages should never be touched and they should be left alone for all to love and admire. We are very lucky to have them, and so many in such a small place.
Can we combine both the past, present and the future in one small place? Yes, of course we can
However, progress rears its head. Maltese have to compete in an ever-competitive world.
Businesses need to have premises from which to work. Visitors need places to stay. Maltese need to have places to live.
These all require buildings, and it is important that if these buildings have to be built, then they must be built properly and are aesthetically attractive.
Unfortunately, this is not always happening at the present time. This is up to the Planning Authority, the developers and the architects to ensure that it happens. But buildings are necessary folks, if Malta wants to keep up with the rest of the world.
At this point I can hear readers say that people like Frank Salt are partly responsible for all that is wrong with the development of Malta. I am sorry, but that could not be further from the truth.
I want Malta to be successful and prosper, but I also want it to be developed attractively and in keeping with the world’s modern standards. It doesn’t make sense and is wrong to think and do otherwise.
It is too late and impractical for us to travel around on donkeys and carts. We cannot feed the population from the produce of our terraced fields. We cannot have and own the products of the modern world, unless we are capable of earning money to pay for them.
What must not happen under any circumstances, is the desire to progress and succeed in the world, at the cost of jeopardising and destroying the wonderful cultural assets that are our inherited treasures. Without them we would be a very poor society.
Can we combine both the past, present and the future in one small place?
Yes, of course, we can, but with very careful and sensible planning, making sure that we as a country will always have the best of both worlds.
What we must remember is that Malta is a complete country, not an island off a main country. We are it. The buck stops here. We have to look after ourselves.
We must make use of every asset we have. We must not destroy anything that is precious, because it will be irreplaceable.
If we must, we should build with the future in mind, reminding ourselves that everything built today will be here for many years to come.
We must not and cannot destroy progress, but by allowing progress we must not destroy what heritage we already have.
Progress and history can live side by side. We have a unique island here in Malta that can actually allow this to happen successfully.